Sunday, May 21, 2017

Chesapeake Ballot Petition Signatures Question

An Open Letter to Our Mayor and Members of Council:

I was out peacefully gathering ballot petition signatures on public sidewalks
today in front of two different public libraries. Each time I was told
to leave. I was told there is a new policy that residents may no longer
gather ballot petition signatures without a written letter of permission
from the City Manager.

I
am writing to you to find out if this is, in fact, a new (or
newly-publicized) policy, or if it is a miscommunication, or if the City
Manager is over-reaching his authority. It is difficult enough to get
candidates on the ballot in Virginia without additional barriers. As a
citizen, voter, and taxpayer, I feel my civil rights are being trampled
on if I need to get written permission to exercise my political rights
peacefully on public property. Please advise.

Sincerely,

Mary Lou Burke

Click here for the City's initial response and here for my reaction and here for the initial resolution plus here for the (hopefully) final resolution.